Continuous-tunnel kiln



Dec. l0, 1929. P. A. MEEI -IAN CONTINUOUS TUNNEL KILN Filed, July 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllll'llllLl \v |I|| I. 1 7.

IIIII Il VII INVENTOR 1/: A. Mff/l/l/V Dem 1929. P. A. MEEHAN 1,738,597

CONTINUOUS TUNNEL KILN Filed July '7, 1926 3 Sheets-sheaf. 2

8M4 AMEEHAA/ BY R M p wm ATTORNEY @ec. 10, 1929. P. A. MEEHAN CONTINUOUS TUNNEL KILN Filed July 7, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 10, 1929 PATENT oFFrcE UNIT D STATES ram. Laramie, or 'cinvnLAnn; onro',ass1onon 'ro nmnnronn nanssmm rurmnn me, me, or CLEVELAND, 01110, a conroaa-rron or new YORK I "optimizations-runner. mu

Application am July 1, 192a Serial No. 120,902.

My present invention relates to continuous tunnel kilns and the general object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for feeding material into and through, and for discharging it from a continuous tunnel kiln. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide .improved means for moving certain small articles through a. tunnel kiln in which they are hardened from an initial condition in which they are so soft and plastic that they must be maintained out of contact with one another to prevent objectionable. adherence to one another.

The invention was primarily designed for use in drying and hardening briquette blocks of so-called bituminous amalgam, and the invention comprises a traveling conveyor ofnovel construction characterized by its capacity for separately holding the great multiplicity of briquette bodies which must be in process of treatment at any one time in order to obtain a kiln capacity; suitablylarge for commercial 0 eration; and the invention is characterized by the ada tability of the conveyor to be charged and ischargedin a practically desirable manner. The invention is further characterized ;by the novel provisions 'made for mechanically feeding the 'briquette bodies into the conveyor mechanism as they come from the pig machines in .which they are formed. p The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to "and formin a part ofthis specification. For

a better u'n' erstanding of the invention, however, its advantages and specific ob'ects attained with its use, reference shoul be had to the accompanyin [drawin anddescriptive matter in whic I have lllustratedand described preferred embodiments vofjrny invention. 1

Of the drawings: v v

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of the kiln and material handling mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation in sect-ion on the line 2 -2 of Fig. 1; I Fig. 3 is a partial section taken similarly to Fig. 2 but on a larger'scale;

' inay be. emplo passing through a Fig. 4 is a partial transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the kiln conveyor mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan view of the mecha nism shown in Fig. 5; Y Y 3 Fig. ,7 is a side elevation of a the kiln charging mechanism; 7

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a planview on a g 8 of a portion 'of the conveyor shown in Fig. 10 is a pore ective view of one-form of briquette body w the apparatus disclosed. v.

In the drawings A represents a continuous tunnel kiln suitab As shown, the kiln structure comprises a kiln larger scale than ich maybe handled with le for the intended portion of chamber A proper through whichthe "I0 briquette bodies or other ware treated are moved by an' endless conveyor B running around a suitable pulley or conveyor wheel worm and wheel or any suitable ear reduc-' tion means connected 'tothesha' C? of thesprocket wheelC. .The conveyor will preferably be driven very slow] to permitthe loading operations to take p ace. It may be desirable to have the conveyor movingjintermitt'ently, theshaft. C being driven lty means of a ratehefiwheelhnd suitable driv- 1 ing means. The upper portion or run of the .conveyorfpa'ses through the: chamber A while the return portion of the conveyor passes through a, subjacent, chamber A The chambers ,A' andiA' are separated by a partition At;- An usual orsuitable means forhea the were the kiln cham r 'A. -As shown, fans D and D are'provided for circulating a suitably warmed kiln atmosphere through the chamber A. The atmo here the kiln in whole or in part or may be heated in whole or in part by contact with the parthus circulated maybe heated externa ly of I C, C, and C and guide tracks B". Each successive pair of guide wheels or pulleys B are connected to a corresponding air of ware holders 7) andba, each pair o ware holders b and be being rigidly connected together. 7

As shown, the ware holders 6 and ba are identical in construction and each comprises a perforated back plate 6 and a series of horizontal channel bars b. having their bases secured to the perforated back plate and having their sides upwardly inclined from the horizontal as shown in Fig. 5, in the normal position of the ware supports. Each channel bar forms a ware receiving pocket of a length equal to the width of the conveyor, and the space between each ad'acent upper and lower pair of channel bars orms a similar pocket, the bottom wall of each pocket being inclined to the horizontal to prevent the briquette bodies or other ware pieces from falling out of the pocket. The ends of the pockets are closed by an le bars 6 and each pair of supports I; and a are rigidly connected by parts 6 and b". The bottoms of the channel bar parts I) are formed with perforations in the ack plates, the perforations in the channel bars and back plates being provided to permit of a circulation of the kiln atmosphere over the ware pieces received in the ware pockets. With. .the described conveyor construction, the ware supports which are vertically disposed as they travel throu h the chamber A, are horizontally dispose at the entrance end of the kiln as they move vertically from the level of the axis of the wheel C to the level of theaxis of the wheel C. While the were supports'are thus horizontally disposed they are charged with the ware pieces which they transmit through the kiln. To thus charge the conveyor, I have provided in the construction illustrated, three similar superposed charging mechanisms.

Each charging mechanism includes a horizontally movable charging tray. While these trays may be identical in construction and operation I conveniently designate the upper tray D, the intermediate tray DA, and the lower tray DB. The chargin mechanisms are so disposedthat thetray' char es' thefirst ware support in eachgroup 0 three successive supports b, ba, 6, or ba,.b, and be, while the tray supports DA and DB charge the second and th rd respectively, of the ware E moves transverse the v a {of the corresponding chargi pg tra D which supports in each such grou Each tray support D, DA, and DB is horizontally movable from the position shown in Fig. 3 in which it extends above a corresponding ware support I) or ba, through the spring pressedhinged doors, a, in the end wall of the tunnel.

kiln, to a position in which it underlies the upper run of a link conveyor E pertaining .to the. corresponding charge mechanism.

Each of the trays D, DA and DB receives bri uette bodies from a corresponding ug mac ine F by means of a correspon ing charging conveyor E. The three charging units each consisting of a pug machine, conveyor and tray, will preferably be and, are

shown as similar.

As shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, twelve streams of amalgam are extruded from each pug ma chine F. Each extruded stream which flows continuously from the pug machine is cut into short segments by the corresponding cutting mechanism K, and the separated briquette bodies thereby formed are delivered by means of a corresponding inclined U-shaped slide F to a specified position on the corres onding chargin are so dispose with respect to the extrusion face plate of the plug machine F and to the charging conveyor E with which they are associated that the briquette bodies into which the individual streams of amalgam extruded from the various orifices of the face conveyor E. The slides plate are cut, fall onto the corresponding I slides F and are delivered in a horizontal'position to the mov ing conveyor E.;

Each charging conveyor E is a cellular structure shown in Figs. 7, Sand 9 as com-. prisingpintles E, links E, connecting adja cent pairs ofpintles, and tubular parts E on the pintles E spacing the links E" apart so that each adjacent pair of links and the pintles which they connect form a cell receivingv a single bri uette body. Each conveyor E is of the end ess'type and constructed with alternate long bottomless sections E and short sections with bottoms'E, all adapted to support briquette bodies. Each conveyor passes overa smooth table G receiving the briquette bodies from the corresponding slides F while traveling along the table to Each conveyor is at a slightly lower level. eta le G isjarranged with a sliding section G. at the position where the paths of motion pf the con- .125. rectionof motion 1- veyor E and the charging tray D cross. When each charging tray is in its retracted position and the long bottomless section E of the corresponding conveyor E is directly over it, the sliding table section G is retracted allowing the briquette bodies to drop into the cells of the charging tray. I a

Each conveyor section E is constructed of a length corresponding to the movement of the conveyor E during the time when the sliding elements D, D and G are performing their sliding movements. Thus the conveyor E will not discharge any briquette bodies until the corresponding charging tray is in position to receive the briquettes. The briquette bodies carried by each conveyor section E will be either wasted or, which is preferable, returned to the pu machine. It is important that the stream 0 material leaving the pug machine be continuous once the proper mix of the amalgam has been attained.

Each sliding tray D then moves forwardly together with its corresponding slidalble tray bottom D to a position as shown in Fig. 3 directly over the ware support I) or ba. The slidable tra bottom D is then retracted to permit the riquette bodies to drop into the ware holders 12 The slidable elements, consisting of the sliding table section G, the charging tray D and the sliding tray bottom D are operated by suitable mechanism which may comprise separate hydraulic cylinders M one for each slidin element.

It s desirable that the various operating 85 mechanisms for. the endless conveyor elements B and E and the sliding elements G,

'D and D be synchronized in order that the material to be treated will move in a continuous stream from the pug machines F through the kiln. In order to accomplish the accurate timing and speed control'of the various operating mechanism, a central control station from which the operating mechanisms may be simultaneously or independently regulated may be desirable.

The ware supports 6 and be on receiving the briquette bodies from the corres nding charging trays are carried by the end ess conveyor B into the upper chamber A of the tunnel kiln as shown in Fig. 2. The briuette bodies in the were holders b first pass t rough the portions of the kiln where the. kiln temperature is low and inwhich the water vapor and light oils will be driven off. As the briquettes progress the temperature increases reaching a maximum a proaching the discharging position. In the atter stage the bri uettes are hardened and some of the smo e producing elements driven ofi. As shown in Fig. 2, the kiln heating chamber A is heated by waste heating gases from ad acent industrial furnaces (not shown), the hot gases being passed into the chamber A by the fan D and exhausted b the fan D The heating arrangements may similar to-those being cooling medium, H, and conveyor N.

shown in my prior application No. 37,077, filed J une 15, 1925, in which the air is heated by passing over coils -or by coming into. contact with the cover lates of fire boxes.

The briquette bo ies after passing through the chamberA are discharged by gravity air entering the discharging portion of the kiln and to deflect the briquette bodies downwardly to the cooling medium. H. The.

bucket conveyor N removes the briquettes when sufliciently cooled so that they are not liable to combustion yet retaining enough heat that when they are discharged from the bucket conveyorthey will be in a dry condition.

The conveyor B after passing the discharging point moves through the lower chamber 'A to the sprocket wheels C and C.

In the operation of the apparatus, the several pug machines F deliver the briquette. bodies to the corresponding conveyors E, from which they are conveyed by the charging trays I D, DA and DB through the small hinged doors, a, of the tunnel kiln to the respective ware supports 5 and be. bodies ass through the chamber A and after Tried and baked aredischarged to the It is'appare'nt to those skilled in the art that my invention is characterized by the novel charging method and ap aratusby which a multiplicity of. briquette dies may be handled with very low labor costs and a simplicity of control. .It is necessary for the successful commercial operation of apparatus of this type that a great-quantity of material The briquette continuously be treated under practically automatic conditions of operation.

While in accordance-with theprovisions of the statutes, I have illustratedand described the best form-of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the .spirit of my lnven-g' tion as set forth in the'appended claims and that in some cases certain features of my 111- vention maybe used to advantage without a corresponding used other features.

Having now described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent .1s r

1. In a briquette plant, 1n combination,

means for forming separate plastic briquette I bodies, a kiln, a continuous conve or for moving said bodies through said hi a second conveyor receiving said bodes formin "means, and means reeeivin jirom said sa d bodies rom said-secondco'nveyor and p acing said bodies on said continuous conveyor out 1' of contact with one another.

. sition, and mechanical means at the Inlet of 2. In combination, a kiln, a continuous conveyor having one run moving horizontally through said kiln and com risinga multiplicity of vertical tray stacks inked together and movable through said kiln in a vertical poing said bodies from said forming means, and

tray mechanism at the inlet end of said kiln receiving said bodies from said second conveyor and placing said briquette bodies on said continuous-conveyor out of contact with one another.

4. In combination, an elongated kiln, a continuous conveyor passing through said 'kiln, and ware supports earned by said conveyor each comprising a back plate, a luty of horizontal channel bars having t eir bases secured to said back plate and their sides inclined to the horizonta 5. In a briquette plant, an endless conveyor, ware supports carried b said conveyor, and means for charging sai ware supports comprisin a series 0 "sliding tra s, each tray charging a ware support at 'pre etermined in-' tervals.--. Y

6. In a briquette plant, an endless conveyor ware supports carried b said conveyor, an means for chargin'gsai ware supports comprising a sliding tray, a'slidable bottom for said tra and means for reciprocating said tray an' saidbottom.

7. In a bituminous fuel briquette plant, the combination of an extrusion pug machine,

with a series of separate troughs receivin the separate streams of amalgam briquettes rom said pug machine, and an endless conveyor receiving the briquettes from the troughs and deliverin the briquettes to a tunnel kiln.

8. In a briquette plant, the combination of a platform, with an endless conve or for moving briquette bodies over said p atform and consisting of alternate bottomless sections and sections with bottoms, a chargi device moving transversely to and underlying the upper run of the conveyor, a slidable platform sectionbetween the conveyor and charging device, and'means for retracting said lat orm section when the bottomless section 0 the conveyor is over the char 'ng device to permit the briquette bodies to rop into the charging device.

9. In a briquette plant, a kiln, an endless conveyor in said kiln, a series of ware supports'carried by said conveyor, and means for charging said ware supports comprising a series of superposed slidab e charging trays,

each tray charging specified ware supports.

10. A briquette plant comprising an extrusion pug machine, an endless conveyor in line with said pug machine adapted to receive plastic briquettes from said machine, a charging conveyor moving transversely to said first mentioned conveyor and adapted to receive material from the latter, a heating kiln, means for receiving material from the char ing conveyor, transporting it through said iln and discharging by gravity to a cooling medium and means for removing the heat treated material from the cooling medium.

11. Apparatus for handling bituminous fuel briquettes comprising 'a kiln, a ware tion,a multiplicity of vertical ware supports I carried in a vertical position b said conveyor, means for transferring mater al to said ware supports during the vertical run of the conveyor while the former are in a horizontal osition and means receiving said material rom the conveyor at the end of said horizontal run portion; I

v 13. Ina briquette plant, the combination witha kiln, of a continuous conveyorhaving one side movin through said kiln and comprising a multip 'city of ware supports linked together, and a plurality of charging devices s aced relatively to the ware supports so that t e difi'erent char 'ng devices are arranged to charge'correspon ingly s acednware supports during the same run of t e conveyor.

14. In a briquette plant, the combinatibn with a continuous conveyor com rising a multiplicity of ware supports linked together and arranged in successive series, of a plurality of charging devices spaced relatively to the ware "supports so that each charging device charges a corresponding ware support in each series.

15. In a briquette plant, the combination of a bottomless conveyor comprising a cellular linked structure with a series of charging tubes receiving briquettes from a briquette machine and arranged to deliver briquettes in separate streams to the cellular conveyor.

16. In a briquette plant, the combination of a continuous conve or comprising a cellular linked structure,.w1th meansfor distributing a plurality of streams of briquettes transversely of said moving conveyor.

17. In a briquette plant, the combination of a continuous conveyor consistin of horizontal and longitudinal series of li ked cells,

with a plurality of blltilllettfi char-"ing tubes arranged to charge ea briquette.

18. In a briquette plant, a endcell with a single less conveyor a smooth surface forming a bottom for the upper run of said conveyor, a slidable section of said surface, and means for withdrawing the slidable surface section tovallow any material carried by said conveyor to be discharged.

v 19. In a briquette plant, a multiplicity of linked cells formin a bottomless conveyor,

a surface forming a ottom for said conveyor, a series of charging means for'distributing briquette bodies to said cells, and a movable section of said bottom forming surface, and means for moving said section to permit the briquettes to be dropped from said bottomless conveyor.

20. The combination of a continuous travelling conveyor comprising spaced apart ware supports and a plurality of charging devices distributed alongside a portion of, the conveyor path of travel and separated by ,spaqes greater than the spaces between said'supports and operable each to charge a corresponding one of the Ware supports in a recurring series of ware supports, each of which series including as many ware supports as there are chargingdevices.

21. The combination of a continuous travelling conveyor comprising spaced apart separately chargable sections and a plurality of charging devices distributed alongside a portion of the conveyor path of travel and separated by spaces greater than the spaces between said chargeable sections and operable each to charge a corresponding one of the sections in a recurring series of separately chargeable sections,each of which series including as many chargeable sections as there are charging devices. I

22. The combination of a continuous travelling conveyor comprising spaced apart Ware supports in a vertical run ortion o the conveyor and a plurality o charging devices distributed alongside the vertical run portion of the conveyor path of travel and separated .by spaces greater than the spaces between said supports and operable each to charge a corresponding one of the ware supports 1n a recurring 'serles of ware supports,

- each of-which series including as many ware su )ports as the are charging devices.

Signed at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, this 30th day of June, A. D. 1926.

PAUL A. MEEHAN. 

